Beyonce is urged to abandon Pepsi endorsement deal
Pop star Beyonce Knowles-Carter should make her $50-million endorsement deal with soda maker PepsiCo the best thing she never had, according to a health advocacy group.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest is ringing the alarm on the diva’s new deal to rep the beverage giant. In a letter listing a litany of health problems linked to sugary drinks, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay, the organization urges the celeb to consider the example she’s setting.
“Your image is one of success, health, talent, fitness and glamour,” the health group wrote in its letter. “But by lending your name and image to PepsiCo, you are associating those positive attributes with a product that is quite literally sickening Americans.”
The singer and wife to rapper Jay-Z is set to have her face appear on certain Pepsi cans. She is also expected to shoot a new Pepsi commercial for next year and to perform in the Pepsi Halftime Show during the Super Bowl on Feb. 3.
Last week, Pepsi said it was renewing its collaboration with Beyonce, which first began in 2002. The performer has won 16 Grammy awards and sold more than 100 million albums.
If the partnership goes through, the health group said Beyonce should consider donating her take to hospitals, diabetes organizations or other groups.
The appeal came days after reports that PepsiCo added another artificial sweetener to its Diet Pepsi brand in an attempt to boost the longevity of the taste. The ingredient, acesulfame potassium, joins the existing sweetener aspartame.
“Modern Family” actress Sofia Vergara represents the Diet Pepsi brand in ads.
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